[Top Ten Tuesday] Hidden Gems: Underrated Books That Need More Love

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish but is currently being run by That Artsy Reader Girl. A prompt is given each week, and I hope to do it every week so I always have something going up on Tuesdays. This week I am talking about books I think are hidden gems and I think they need more love because they are underrated or maybe overshadowed.

Let's jump right into it!

This was really hard for me because a lot of the books I read are pretty popular or at least the people I follow read a lot of similar books to me. So, these are books I wish I saw more people talk about outside of my bubble of bloggers/readers I follow and am friends with.

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh 

I will never, ever stop promoting this duology. It's so good!! I don't think I've seen a lot of people read/talk about this book outside of some blogger friends. I cannot get enough of both Reign of the Fallen and it's sequel, Song of the Dead, which comes out January 22nd 2019. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and it was everything and more.

Synopsis
Odessa is one of Karthia's master necromancers, catering to the kingdom's ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it's Odessa's job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised--the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.

A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black 

Maybe I just read this too late, but I haven't noticed anyone else talking about this book! And it was so good! I listened to it on audiobook and I was blown away. I know Holly Black is a popular author, but the only books I've read of hers were the Spiderwick Chronicles. It makes me want to read her recently hyped book, The Cruel Prince. If you've read this (or any of the books I mention) I'd love to hear what you thought. I definitely recommend the audiobook!

Synopsis
Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

From Ant to Eagle by Alex Lyttle 

Erica @ Erica Robyn Reads got this for me for Christmas and I loved it so much. If you're someone who likes to read super heartbreaking family stories this could definitely be one for you. If you're in the mood for a book that WILL make you cry, then this is the one for you. I definitely think more people need to read this book! Besides Erica, I haven't seen anyone else talk about this book and I think it would be a hit for anyone who likes sad family contemporaries.

Synopsis
It's the summer before grade six and Calvin Sinclair is bored to tears. He’s recently moved from a big city to a small town and there's nothing to do. It’s hot, he has no friends and the only kid around is his six-year-old brother, Sammy, who can barely throw a basketball as high as the hoop. Cal occupies his time by getting his brother to do almost anything: from collecting ants to doing Calvin’s chores. And Sammy is all too eager - as long as it means getting a "Level" and moving one step closer to his brother's Eagle status.

When Calvin meets Aleta Alvarado, a new girl who shares his love for Goosebumps books and adventure, Sammy is pushed aside. Cal feels guilty but not enough to change. At least not until a diagnosis makes things at home start falling apart and he's left wondering whether Sammy will ever complete his own journey...

From Ant To Eagle.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli 

Becky Albertalli is a very popular young adult author, so this choice may come as a surprise, but I think this book is constantly being overshadowed by Albertalli's other two books: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and the more recent, Leah on the Offbeat. Both being amazing books. But I think Upside is the best one out of the three and I rarely see people talk about it especially in reference to Becky Albertalli. I mean I get it, Simon got a movie and Leah was in that movie. But I think Molly an Reid deserve more love. 

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love—she’s lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny and flirtatious and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back.

There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker Reid. He’s an awkward Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?

The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 

This author may sound familiar, because he wrote Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, which I assume is his most popular book. And although Ari & Dante definitely deserve the praise they get, I think Sal & Sam deserve more love too. Like Ari & Dante the story is around family, love, grief, and coming of age.

Synopsis
The first day of senior year:

Everything is about to change. Until this moment, Sal has always been certain of his place with his adoptive gay father and their loving Mexican-American family. But now his own history unexpectedly haunts him, and life-altering events force him and his best friend, Samantha, to confront issues of faith, loss, and grief.

Suddenly Sal is throwing punches, questioning everything, and discovering that he no longer knows who he really is—but if Sal’s not who he thought he was, who is he?

A List of Cages by Robin Roe

It's been at least a year since I've read A List of Cages and I still think about it today!! It's such a bittersweet story and I highly recommend it. I don't think I've seen anyone other than Erica, who pushed me to read it, talk about this book but I think it's worth the read. 

Synopsis
When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian—the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He’s still kindhearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what’s really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives…

Veronica Mars: The Thousand  Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas 

I love Veronica Mars, and I was really sad when the show got cancelled. So when I heard there was going to be books I bought them as soon as they were out. Of course, in true Heather fashion, I still haven't read the second one. But I am hoping to sometime before the year is over. If you are a fan of the show, Veronica Mars or just mysteries in general I recommend picking these up. I haven't heard anyone talk about these and I feel like more should. 

Synopsis
Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She's traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.

Now it's spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is not a simple missing person's case. The house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica's past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand 

I haven't heard anyone talk about this one! It is such a spooky book and it's so much fun. It reminded me of the same kind of spook level that maybe Coraline would be on. It's spooky but not horror/gore/terrifying. I wish more would read this middle grade book, it's perfect for Halloween

Synopsis
At the Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, you will definitely learn your lesson. An atmospheric, heartfelt, and delightfully spooky novel for fans of Coraline, Splendors and Glooms, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Victoria hates nonsense. There is no need for it when your life is perfect. The only smudge on her pristine life is her best friend Lawrence. He is a disaster, lazy and dreamy, shirt always untucked, obsessed with his silly piano. Victoria often wonders why she ever bothered being his friend. (Lawrence does, too.)

But then Lawrence goes missing. And he is not the only one. Victoria soon discovers that The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is not what it appears to be. Kids go in but come out different. Or they don't come out at all.

If anyone can sort this out, it's Victoria, even if it means getting a little messy.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy 

I LOVE all the Julie Murphy books I've read, my favorite probably being Puddin' but I have such a soft spot for Ramona. I think, like Albertalli's books, Ramona Blue is overshadowed by Dumplin' and Puddin', probably because Dumplin' is getting a movie! I think if you're in the mood for a queer contemporary story about sexuality being fluid you may like this one!

Synopsis
Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever.

Since then, it’s been Ramona and her family against the world. Standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she’s fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she’s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. But juggling multiple jobs, her flaky mom, and her well-meaning but ineffectual dad forces her to be the adult of the family. Now, with her sister, Hattie, pregnant, responsibility weighs more heavily than ever.

The return of her childhood friend Freddie brings a welcome distraction. Ramona’s friendship with the former competitive swimmer picks up exactly where it left off, and soon he’s talked her into joining him for laps at the pool. But as Ramona falls in love with swimming, her feelings for Freddie begin to shift too, which is the last thing she expected. With her growing affection for Freddie making her question her sexual identity, Ramona begins to wonder if perhaps she likes girls and guys or if this new attraction is just a fluke. Either way, Ramona will discover that, for her, life and love are more fluid than they seem.

Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things by Ted Naifeh 

This is  SUCH a great graphic novel series that I really need to get back into. It's so much fun and perfect for this time of year if you're interested in a more supernatural/paranormal story with a spunky young girl main character. Besides any friends or my fiancé borrowing my copy of the first volume I haven't heard anyone else reading this!

Synopsis
Presenting the initial COURTNEY CRUMRIN miniseries in a new digest-sized format. Courtney's parents have dragged her out to a high-to-do suburb to live with her creepy Great Uncle Aloysius in his spooky old house. She's not only the new kid in school, but she also discovers strange things lurking under her bed.

Thanks for reading!